Today we’d like to introduce you to Cornel Beard.
Hi Cornel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, and after a lot of early life transitions, including a few tough years in high school, I joined the Army and served for several years. That time gave me space to reflect and reset. When I came back to Minnesota, I was focused on building a new chapter for myself.
I went to design school after returning home and really leaned into the creative space. I was drawn to branding and storytelling, and how design can connect people, shift narratives, and create meaningful experiences. While in school and after graduating, I worked in a few different agency settings. Those experiences taught me a lot about creative process, client relationships, and the gaps that often exist when it comes to cultural relevance and authentic connection in branding work.
In late 2022, I decided it was time to build something of my own. That’s when I launched Charizma Agency, a culture-forward creative agency focused on helping brands tell their stories with clarity, depth, and purpose. We specialize in branding, strategy, and community-focused storytelling. Since launching, we’ve worked with mission-driven organizations and entrepreneurs who want their brand to feel like more than just a logo. They want it to feel like them.
Right now, I’m focused on growing the agency, building a strong team, and continuing to do work that makes a real impact across culture, design, and business.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I think that’s part of what’s shaped me. Early on, I dealt with a lot of instability at home. My family went through some really hard times, and that affected how I moved through school and life. I barely graduated high school and ended up joining the Army as a way to create a path forward.
Even after returning home and going to design school, the road didn’t just magically smooth out. I was balancing school, work, and life responsibilities, often all at once. In agency settings, I had to navigate environments that didn’t always reflect me or make space for new voices, especially in creative leadership. I had to learn how to advocate for myself, stay grounded in my perspective, and find the courage to lead in spaces where I was often the only one who looked like me or came from my background.
Starting Charizma came with its own set of challenges. I didn’t have outside funding or a big safety net. Everything has been self-funded, built from scratch, and driven by pure belief in the vision. There were times when I questioned whether I was doing the right thing or moving fast enough. But I kept showing up, stayed consistent, and focused on delivering quality work that speaks for itself.
Through it all, I’m incredibly grateful for the industry leaders and mentors I’ve met along the way. Whether it was through school, agencies, peers, or even clients, I’ve had people pour into me, offer guidance, open doors, and remind me of what’s possible. That support has made a huge difference, and it’s part of why I’m committed to doing the same for others.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Charizma is a culture-forward creative agency that focuses on branding, storytelling, and strategy. We work with purpose-driven entrepreneurs, creatives, and organizations who care deeply about how they show up in the world. Our approach is rooted in listening, collaboration, and making sure the work we create reflects the real people and values behind the brand.
We lead with a process we call Culture-Driven Design. It’s about understanding a brand’s roots, the community it serves, and the impact it hopes to make. From there, we co-create visual identities, messaging, campaigns, and activations that feel authentic and grounded.
What sets us apart is the care we put into our work. Every project is tailored. We don’t rush through design just to check a box. We work closely with our clients to make sure their brand truly feels like them.
I’m most proud of the feedback we get from people after a project. When someone says, “This finally feels like me,” or “I feel clear and confident now,” that’s what makes it worth it. Our goal isn’t just to make things look good. It’s to help people own their voice, tell their story, and build something that lasts.
At the heart of it, Charizma is about helping people and organizations grow with intention, clarity, and culture at the center.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I think risk has always been a part of my journey, whether I called it that or not. From the outside, joining the Army at 18, right after barely finishing high school, was a big risk. At the time, it felt more like survival and trying to figure out a way forward. But looking back, that decision completely changed the direction of my life.
As I’ve grown, I’ve come to see risk as a necessary part of growth. Starting Charizma was one of the biggest risks I’ve taken. I launched the agency in late 2022 without outside funding or a safety net. I stepped away from the structure and security of agency jobs to build something that felt more aligned with my purpose. I didn’t have everything figured out, but I believed in the vision.
To me, risk isn’t just about big moves. It shows up in the day-to-day decisions too. Choosing to stay true to your values, pushing forward when things feel uncertain, trusting yourself to lead when no one else can see the full picture yet… those are all risks in their own way.
I don’t think of myself as someone who takes risks just for the sake of it. But I do believe in betting on myself, and I try to make decisions that come from a place of growth, not fear. Even when things don’t go perfectly, I know that I’m learning, evolving, and getting better prepared for whatever comes next.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.charizma.agency
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charizmaagency
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551060056236
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/charizma-agency
